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Four hundred names from the entertainment industry advocate Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest in an open letter. A large number of them have a link with Israel or a Jewish background.
Due to the conflict in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas, Israel’s participation has been under discussion for several weeks. Petitions to ban the country appeared in Sweden, Finland and Iceland. Now there is a dissenting voice, signed by more than four hundred names from the entertainment industry. Many have a Jewish background or a link to Israel.
Read the open letter from the Creative Community For Peace here.
“We believe that unifying events such as song competitions are crucial to bridging our cultural differences and uniting people from all backgrounds through their shared love of music,” it said.
They include British actress Helen Mirren and American actress Selma Blair, British singer Boy George, Israeli-American Kiss bassist Gene Simmons, American ‘The Big Bang Theory’ actress Mayem Bailik and American Sharon Osbourne, just like Israel’s entry last year Noa Kirel and finished third. The European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the Eurovision Song Contest, has no plans yet to ban Israel. (eadp)